Why "Net Zero" Emissions Targets Are a Scam
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Science, Economics, Civics
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Our Changing Climate
What it is
- This video from Our Changing Climate breaks down what "net zero" emissions targets are and how some companies or countries may take advantage of this term.
- The video also talks about the negatives of using future technologies (that haven't been developed or tested at scale) and carbon offsetting (which may come with side effects, like green colonialism) to continue "business as usual."
Teaching tips
Positives
- This video is broken into sections using timestamps, so it is easy to skip around and tailor the video to a relevant class discussion.
- The video breaks down complicated concepts into easy-to-understand content.
Prerequisites
- There may be an ad before or during the video, and there is a sponsorship at the end that starts at 10 minutes and 28 seconds.
- Students should know what the Paris Agreement is.
- Students should be comfortable interpreting percentages.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This is a great video to show in a science class when learning about climate change and the impact of large companies.
- In an economics class, this video can be used to discuss economic incentives, as well as how economic decisions made by private companies affect the public.
- Some related resources are Doubt and Climate Change: Do Corporations Have an Obligation to Share Their Research Findings for the Public Good?.
From the scientist review
Achieving net zero by 2050 appears to be unrealistic. This resource spotlights clear cases of the disconnections, political trickery, and controversies by several governments, multi-national corporations, and industries towards achieving a well-thought-out, tangible, and realistic implementation plan for a net zero and carbon-neutral world. There is no contradiction and thus, this resource is recommended for teaching.
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